Fluid control shock testing device



July 29, 1952 J. H. ARMSTRONG Erm. 2,604,777

FLUID CONTROL SHOCK TESTING DEVICE 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5, 1949 (gn/vendo J.H.ARMSTRONG D.E.ISULL|VAN July 29, 1952 J. H. ARMSTRONG ETAI. 2,604,777

FLUID CONTROL SHOCK TESTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 5, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Slm/umm J.H.ARMSTRONG D. E. SULLIVAN J. H. ARMsTRoNG Erm. 2,604,777

FLUID CONTROL SHOCK TESTING DEVICE July 29,- 1952 Filed Aug. 5, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 .J. H.. ARMSTRONG DE. SULLIVAN FIC. 5.

July 29,` 1952 .J. H. ARMSTRONG r-:r-AL 2,604,777

FLUID CONTROL SHOCK TESTING DEVICE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 5, 1949 July 29, 1952 J. H. ARMSTRONG ETAL. 2,604,777

FLUID CONTROL SHOCK TESTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 5, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ,l n rLali'lli |28 ses gmc/YM J. H. ARMSTRONG -D.E. SULLIVAN @www July 29, 1952 J. H` ARMSTRONG ETAL 2,604,777

FLUID coNIRoL sl-Iocx TESTING DEVICE I Filed Aug. 5, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 las /7 /44 v A11/UWM H ARMSTRONG.

E. SULLIVAN July 29, 1952 J. H7 ARMSTRONG :a1-A1.. 2,604,777

v FLUID CONTROL SHOCK TESTING DEVI-CE Filed Aug. 5, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 W" w d.

Suma/who@ J. H. ARMSTRONG D. E'. SULLIVAN Patented July 29, 1952 4 2,604,777 AFLUID CONTROL SHOCK TESTING DEVICE e John H. Armstrong and Donal E. Sullivan,

Washington, D. C.

Application August 5, 1949, Serial No. 108,834

(Cl. 'Z3-12) (Granted under the act of March s, 1883. as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) Claims.

This invention relates generally to test apparatus and more particularly to a device of this character adapted to accelerate and decelerate, under controlled pneumatic pressures, the object under test for the purpose of determining the eiect of shock thereon..

Heretofore, considerable diihculty has been encountered in the testing of certain types of naval ordnance particularly those devices intended for use under conditions of acceleration shock such, for example, as projectile uzes, torpedo controls and high altitude' aircraft launched mines, or the like. Frequently eld testing of such apparatus results in either the loss of the equipment or such extensive-damage thereto as torender it valueless as a source of test information. 1 Y

For several years the Government has been interested in the development of equipment and the perfection of testing 4techniques therefor whereby the testing of various types ofordance may be conducted in the laboratory rather than in the field as heretofore. Service evaluation wherein the completed weapons are subjected to performance tests duplicating the conditions of actual use must,vof course, be the iinal step in development, but in"v the preliminary stages the advantages of controlled laboratory shock simulation has proven invaluable.

1t has been frequently demonstrated both eX- perimentally and analytically that laboratory apparatus for duplicating eld shock conditions does not necessarily simulate exactly the extreme shock parameters of each particular case, for example, short impulsive velocity changes are known to produce the same response in a system of relatively low natural frequency as those resulting from lower acceleration and longer duration pulses of the same total energy. By providing a test instrument in accordance with the present invention, wherein the acceleration oi the Object under test may be accurately controlled for producing the exact shock curve desired, a far wider range of laboratory shock application may be obtained than with instruments of the type heretofore devised..

According to the shock testing apparatus of the present invention a testing device in the form of anair gun is provided wherein apiston carrying the part to be tested is secured against movement within the barrelv section of the gun by means of a piston releasing assembly having arranged therein a plurality of steel lballs adapted to be forced inwardly into locking Yengagement with the piston by movement of a hydraulically controlled sleeve. After air pressure has been applied to the rear face of the piston, the balls are operated to ball releasing position whereupon the piston is disengaged to accelerate within the barrel before the expanding air. Compression of the air within the closed barrel section ahead of the piston serves to bring the piston to rest. Such an arrangement, by providing for the deceleration of the piston over a greater distance than the initial travel of the piston during the acceleration thereof, cushions the pistonA at the end of the stroke and permits the recovery of the test piece without it undergoing secondary shock condition comparable in severity to those under study. Accurate control of the shape of the acceleration time curve is obtained by controlling the air density in the barrel volume ahead of the piston by either increasing or reducing the pressure thereof to a value above or below atmospheric pressure, as the case may be, relative to the acceleration pressure. Y

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shock testing device adapted to accelerate and thereafter decelerate an object under test to determine the eiect of shock thereon.

Another object of the present invention lis to provide new and improved shock testing apparatus which may be operated under controlled conditions to accelerate an object to be tested in a manner to impart selectively shock effects thereto simulating the shock effects received by the object under actual conditions of service.

A further object is to provide a new and improved test device wherein the peak acceleration and the rate at which the acceleration peak is attained may be controlled independently.

A further object is to provide new and improved apparatus for subjecting vOrdnance devices to shock effects which simulate the eiiects of shock received thereby under conditions of transport and service.

A still further object is to provide a shock testing device of thischaracter adapted for testing a wide variety of ordnance devices by applying thereto a wide range of shock parameters corresponding to those encountered in the service use of such devices.

An additional object is to provide a shock testing device of an air gun type wherein a piston carrying the devicev to 'be tested is accelerated within the barrel of the gun by air pressure applied thereto and decelerated by Vair compressed in the barrel by movement of the piston therein.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention willlbe readily appreelated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a View in elevation of the test gun of the present invention and theY control panel therefor;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the breech end of the gun and the arrangement for adjusting the bulkhead therein;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view ofv the forward end section of the gun and tank supported thereby with the closure cap in open position;

Fig. 4 is a view in cross section through the barrel showing the structure and arrangement-of the piston therein;

Fig. 5 is a View partly in section and partly in elevation of the release mechanism arranged in` the barrel with the test piston shown in lockedposition therewith;

Fig. 6 is aview partlyrinsectionand partly inv elevationA of the release mechanism as arrangedY in thebarrel immediately following the disengagement ofthe test'piston therefrom;

Fig. '1 isaview of the release mechanism taken along line1-1. of. Fig. 5;.

Fig. 8 is aviewof therelease mechanism taken along line B-Sof Fig. 5;

Fig. 9.is`a view of the release'mechanismtaken along linevll--S` of Fig. 5I;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary-viewfin sectionthrough the sleeve'position indicator switch secured to the afterbulkhead and release .sleeve assembly respectively;

Figl1 is a fragmentary view in cross section through the barrel and contact strip arranged therein;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view through the-contact member carried by the piston and its arrangement with respect to the barrel supported contact strip; and

Fig.V 13 is across sectional View through'the flap valve assembly illustrating its arrangement with respect to thetank andbarrelassemblies.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the test gun generally designated I0 is shown inoperative arrangement with *respectY to the control panel II therefor upon which ismounted various gauges, Avalves' and electric switches for controlling the-operation of the gun, as will become more clearly apparent as the description proceeds.

The gun is comprised of an elongated barrel I2 of an internal diameter suiiicient to accommodate therein the. largestA of the objects to be tested, a diameter of 2l inches having been found to be generally satisfactory. The barrelmay be made from a single tubular member or in sections, as desired, to thereafter'be secured together in any suitable manner as by bolting, welding or the like.

What will be hereinafter referred to as the breech end of I3 of the gun is shown in Fig. 2 as closed by a bulkhead I4 having therein a sealing 0 ring I5 formed preferably from rubber or the like adapted for maintaininga pressure seal between the bulkhead and the barrel bore I6 thereby forming a closure for one end of a high pressure chamber I1 made variable in volume by movement of the bulkhead either to or from a ball release. assembly, generally designated 20, Fig. 6, xedly secured within the barrel ahead of the bulkhead as by stud screws IS.

Extending rearwardly from the bulkheadand preferably formed integrally therewith is a tubular collar I9 having thereon a plurality of radially arranged ribs 2| adapted to connect with and support the periphery of the bulkhead against air pressure applied to the forward face 22 thereof from within the high pressure chamber I1.

The inner surface of collar I9 is suitably threaded for receiving therein the correspondingly threaded end section 23 of a bulkhead adjusting shaft 24, the shaft having thereon spaced groups of radially arranged lugs 25 adapted to lock the shaft and bulkhead in a predetermined fixed-position of adjustment within the barrel by means of an inner connecting annular breech plate. 26rc1easablysecured within the barrel opening` as by a threaded ring section 21. The plate 2li having thereon inwardly projecting lugs suitably arrangedto connect in a conventional manner with the lugs 25 of the shaft as the shaft is rotated therein by a rod or like tool (not shown) inserted within opening. 28 provided therefor inbracket 29l secured to.` the rearl end face of the shaft ask by weldingk thereto. at SI, the tool being thereafter applicable to withdrawor force inwardly the bulkhead into. the barrel, as the case may be, to thelpositionv of bulkhead adjustment desired. Minor' adjustment. of: the bulkhead within the barrel is obtained byrotating the shaft 24 within itsthreaded connection with collar I 9 thereby to cause theshaft to move into or out'of the collarV for selectively altering the position of the bulkhead' with respect to the position ofthe shaft as determinedvby the-lock` ing lugsv25 thereon.

To prevent rotationof the bulkhead-with the shaft as the lugs 25thereon-are disengaged of the lugs of the plate or, as minor adjustmentsare made in the position of thebulkhead'as the shaft is rotated within the collar I9 thereof, a-pair of positioning rods 3 are rigidlyv fastened to the rear end face of they bulkhead, as at 32, to extend rearwardly therefrom through openings 34 provided therefor in` the fixed-breech plate 25 and are'adapted to extend outwardly from thebarrel as the bulkhead is retracted. The bulkhead is secured in this manner against' rotation within the. barrel but leftV free for longitudinal movement therein.

The forward end'portion f35 of the barrel, as shownin Fig. 3, is closed` as by. a concavo-convex cappieceS'Bof the type commonly employed to close the breech end of a torpedolaunching tube or the like, the cap beingso constructedand'arrangedthat thefhandle portion 31 thereof is applicabletorotatethe capfor causingthe meshing of Wedge'shaped lugs 38 thereon withcorrespondingly formed lugs 39providedin the barrel openingthereby to cause-thecapto beidrawn tightly against sealingv ring 40 for establishing apressure seal between the cap and barrel body.

A test piston assembly generally designatedM', Fig. 45 and adapted formounting therein, as by a clamp structure 48, the part 42'to-be'testedis formed'in the mannerof a cage, .thetwo endfsections 43 and 44 thereof, whichiwill hereinafter be referred to as the forwardzendsectiony and base section respectively, are connected: as` by a` plurality of tubular'rods or shafts 45fixedly secured to the base end section Mof the'piston as. by welding thereto at 49 whilebeing releasably secured to the forward'end section 43-of the piston as by nuts 46 thereby providing a piston structure sufficiently rigid to withstand shock of acceleration While having thequality of'lightnessre- 5. quired thereof to accelerate and decelerate quickly under the conditions of use.

The piston is admitted to the barrel through the cap equipped end 35 thereof to be gradually driven in the direction of the release mechanism by compressed air admitted to the barrel volume ahead of the piston through a connection 50 after a second port behind the piston is opened for exhausting into the atmosphere the air that would otherwise be trapped between the piston and release 28. Gasket rings 52 formed preferably from leather or the like, are arranged about the periphery of the base and forward end sections of the piston 44 and 43 respectively, there.

Extending rearwardly from the piston base andV secured thereto in any suitable manner as by threads I55 is a hardened steel tubul-ar link 58 having thereon an inclined surface 51, effective, as the link moves into an annular recess 48 provided therefor in the release assembly, to cam outwardly a plurality of radially arranged balls 58 disposed therein and adapted to thereafter be driven inwardly behind an extending flange portion 59 of the link to lock the piston with the release mechanism by forward movement of a cylindrical locking sleeve 60, as will become more apparent as the description proceeds.

The release mechanism 28, Fig. 5, is comprised of an annular chassis member BI having therein a centrally arranged bore 62, the walls thereof being preferably honed for allowing free movement therein of a closely fitting piston member B3. The respective ends of the cylinder are closed as by cap pieces 64 and 65 drawn thereto as by bolts 14, the latter cap having therein an annular opening 66 through which outwardly extends the shaft portion E1 of the piston 63. A pressure seal is maintained about the piston shaft by O ring gaskets 68 and |69 arranged within annular grooves provided therefor in an annular plate member 18 secured to the forward face of the cap as by a cover plate 1| through which bolts 12 extend for threadedly connecting with the cap piece 65 as at 13, to provide an assembly hereinafter referred to generally as the hydraulic cylinder 15.

A"Fluid, such, for example, as oil or the like, is admitted to the respective volumes 1B and 11 of the cylinder through respective fluid circuits therewith, for example, the arrangement of intersecting bores 18, 19, 80, 8|, 82 and 83 comprising the circuit to the volume 16, as apparent from Fig. 5. A pressure seal is maintained about the point of intersection of bores 8|) and 8| as by an O ring 84 arranged within an annular recess provided therefor in the chassis face, the ring being compressed about the connection of the bores as the cap piece 65 is drawn by bolts 14 to the forward face of the chassis.

A similar circuit is provided for establishing a fluid connection with the rear volume 11. of the cylinder 15, the circuit being shown in part by Athe cutaway section `81 disclosing bores 88 and 89.

as they intersect within an Ol ring 9U arrangedv in the aforedescribed manner to forma ,sealing connection about the junction of the.bores 88 and 89 as the cap piece 64 is drawn to the cylinder opening. 3 1

A circuit, similar in arrangement to those connecting volumes 1=8 and 11 of the hydraulic cylinder, is provided for making connection with the atmosphere from an annular recess 9| provided in the forward cap piece 65 adjacent to the piston shaft whereby high pressure air, which might escape beneath the O rings 68 and 69 from within the release mechanism, is exhausted from the system before entering the forward volume 18 of the cylinder to possibly cause premature operation thereof.

,Secured in a suitable manner, as by bolts 92, to the forwardly extending ange portion 93 yof the chassis, is a ball retaining ring 9=4 arranged in face adjacency to a forward housing 95 thereby forming an annular recess therebetween wherein are retained locking balls 58. The flange 93 is provided with a plurality of lateral slots 96, Figs. 5 and 8, within which are movable spokes 91 forming an integral connection between the release sleeve 69 and an annular ring portion 98 thereof, the said spokes being adapted to move longitudinally through the slots as the release sleeve is moved into an outer piston locking position. The housing 95 is secured to the chassis by means of a cylindrical sleeve member 99 fastened to each respectively as by stud screws |88 threaded into the sleeve and having projecting inwardly therefrom stud portions ||l| suitable for intersecting radially arranged bores provided therefor in the chassis and forward housing members respectively.

Extending rearwardly from the chassis and preferably formed integral therewith is a substantially horizontal flange section |05 from which extends outwardly a flange portion |86 thereby forming about the periphery of the chassis an annular recess |81 wherein is arranged a number of the fluid connections to the mechanism as illustrated, for example, in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

In order that air may be communicated from the high pressure chamber |1 through the chassis to the Ibase of the test piston, suitable openings or ports are provided in the chassis at |08, Fig. 7, the flow of air therethrough passing about the cylinder 15 to the base of the test piston by way of a throttling head assembly generally designated lll supported on and carried by the shaft 81 of the piston to which the head assembly is secured as by the threaded connection The throttling head is comprised of an oval shaped cap or head piece ||2 adapted to be received into the concavely formed base end portion 44 of the test piston, as the head is projected therein by forward movement of the piston 63 thereby to reduce to the minimum the air volume between the head and piston base. Provided aboutthe periphery of the cap ||2 is a plurality of splines or grooves ||3 arranged in axial alignment with a corresponding number of similar grooves |4 formed about the edge of an annular body member ||5 to which the cap is secured as by the threaded surface I6. Interposed between the cap and body and adapted to journal about a shoulder ||1 provided on the latter, is an annular orifice plate ||8 having therein a number of openings or ports ||9 adapted, when moved selectively into or out of communicative adjacency with the grooves in the cap and ring members respectively, to control the flow of air therethrough as it passes to the base of the test piston from thelhigh pressure chamber |1 thereby to effectively regulate the acceleration of the test piston following the release thereof for producingl i'nthel test-object-the-conditions Aoffshock desired.` f

Rotation oftheorifeeplate tis' accomplished byfm'ean's of-anelongated-gear |2'supported, asY by studsy lill-Landi |22, from? the inner surface of the'. ballretainingf ring v94, the latter stud being removably securedY to the forward vface of'the ring as by screws-|232 The gear |2|i`=isprovided with teeth suitable-for meshing-with teeth |24" formed-in the outer periphery of the plate, Fig. 9, whereby the plate may be rotated by the'gear selectivelythrough aeconnection including an adjustment screw |25? adaptedfor journaling within 'abearing member- |26/ therefor securedy as by weldingat |2311' to the horizontal flangesection IGBCO'th'e-chassis; Securednasvby pin |3|llto thel shaft- |3|- of the screw |25' i`s-a` wormigear: |32 arranged inlmeshing engagement with a gear I 33 fixedly se'cured'-v to a shaft 1 section |34- supported 1 by andadaptedfor journaling: withinan' elon'.-

gated'bearing member |35 therefor attachedras.y

byy welding, to the 'chassis at |37.' A connectingl linkage comprising a shaftv section |38 anduni'- versal coupling-51539 and |4',.provide means for communicating motion of the' adjustment screw |25lto the shaft section lei-fof Ythe gear whereby the platel may be adjustably rotated thereby. AnV

opening |55,l Fig; 5, is vprovided in the barrel body adjacent the head of the screw through which' a screwdriver or like-toolmay be inserted for ro'- tation `of the screw to theposition of orice-p1ate adjustment desired.

The b-all release sleeve Seis equipped withan annular ange'portion |42' securedthereto as by bolts |46 and adaptedto slideably bear against the innersurfaceof an` outer sleeve'member |43 thereby to form/to the rear endiface ofthe release sleeve achamber Iflli'to which fluid, such for example asA oil or 'the like, may. be admitted through a port connection |45 therewith. The release sleeve is initially retained in a retracted position, Fig. 6,.until such time as the link 56 of the test piston has moved to seated'position within the release mechanism whereupon oil is thereafter admitedunder pressure to" chamber |44` for forcingforwardly the release sleeve G05 carrying. therewith into operative relation with' the locking :balls 58 the inclined surface. |41 of a'v cammingring! |48. secured tothe forward end of thesleeve'as by threads 49.

The freeing of: the piston is accomplished by rearward movementv of the sleeve fsufiiciently for the balls 58' to become'disengaged'of the flange 590i the piston link therebyallowing the piston to accelerate through the barrel,l the peak acceleration being` predetermined by the pressure of the air'thereagainstat thetime of such release.

In order to simulate both the peak acceleration and the rate at which the peak is reached, it'- is` provided thatV the release sleeve G may be accelerated to release at a controlled rate thereby causing accelerated disengagement of the balls 58 with the piston link overa predetermined interval cf time and'terminating in the peak acceleration valueY asthe pistonlink isA freed of the last restraining effects of the locking balls therewith. The intervaly of time required f'or'the test piston to reach peak acceleration is controlled by the ratethe cam surface |41'0f 'the ring is carriedby the release sleeve from the path of the outwardly moving balls 5S as they are cammed from locking engagementlwith the piston link by the inclinedlsurface |49 thereon.

' To vary selectively-the rate at which the .cam

surface |41'i'srdisengaged'ofithe locking ballsat the time of piston release, airfof' a chosen pressure isapplied through afluid.' connection |58 to the forward faceofian extending flange portion |5| of` the sleevefronrwithin a chamber |52 formediinla'djacency to the flange by a xed iiange member: |53` extending inwardly from a sleeve.Irliarrangedinabutment to sleeve |43. A plurality of bores |55v provided in the forward facezof the flange: |5| servesto increase theV volumebfthechamber |52fwhereby the pressure of the" air therein requiredtoY accelerate the sleeve overta*predetermined'travel may be initially'reduced".

To secure, the sleeve against rearward movementasfthezpressure, of; the air Within chamberv |52fis1l increased to a.l value required of the test, a plurality of` balls. 51 are arranged within aperturesprovidedtherefor in an annular collar |58 and'adapted to be driven outwardly therefrom to engage the inner ring section 98 of the sleeve by forwardmovement of'a shuttle member |59 having thereonant inclined surfacev |50 effective, as the shuttle is moved forward, to engage the inner surface of the ballsfor 1camming'them outwardly to'theposition indicated'in Fig. 5v thereby securing` thesl'eevei SOwith the chassis-to which the collar |58 is secured as: bythreadsl |61. The shuttle. ist moved to sleevev locking position by forward movement of 'thel pistonY 63 as pressure is appliedifronry thercontrols of the device to the rear cylinder volume 'il forcing outwardly the piston an'd'head1 assembly'attache'd thereto, the latter having thereon a. rearwardly extending shuttley actuating'member'lz secured thereto as by: bolts |63' and: includinganoutwardly extendingfiange'portion le'enective, asit'is carried forward; to engageitherear end face of the shuttie to" mo veiit therewith to the position indicated in'ig.'v 5'. v

Provision? is ma'de'for releasing the sleeve ring 9S" of: the:- ba'lls; |51' byl the application of fluid pressurefto-the.forward volume 16 of the cylinder forcinginwardly the piston and head assembly, the' latter' having thereon an extending flange portionv |65.: effective to engage the forward flange equippedend |66- of the shuttle whereby theishuttleis; driven rearward therewith' to the positionzindicated'inFig 6v to' allow the balls |57 tobe cammed'- free of the sleeve ring by the inclinedzisurface, 5 thereonv` thereby to allow" the sleeve@ to. accelerate' to releasetby pressure of the air within chamber |52. Before the releasing of the sleeve inzthe manner described, the oil is drainedfrom chamber |44'and i1" required, a partial vacuum.mayvbe drawn thereon to reduce the quantityf of air therein required to compress before the rearwardly moving flange |42 of the sleeve as'itaccelerates to' release position.

Tordecelerat'e the sleeve after a predetermined travel thereof vtoward release'position, a quantity ofT liquid,.suchffor example as oil or the like, is retained. within-.a1 chamber |683 closed by the flanges |42'1and: |5|f and into which projects a stoppingrunit`v |69y provided as an internal flange of sleeve |43 and havingrthereon shoulder surfaces |10 and |'||.r formed reversely'to similar shoulders |'|2l'and llprovided on' the rear face of flange. |5'|`, the vshoulders becoming eifective toltrap a'quantity-off oil therebetween at |14 and |15; Fig. 6, as the surfaces thereof are carried into -operative adjacency as the release sleeve 8U is accelerated to release position, the trapped oil therebetweenreducing to a near stop the rearward movement of the sleeve, with the oil being thereafter gradually forced behind the stopping unit by Way of restricting orifices |16, Fig. 8, formed as milling cuts about the outer surface of sleeve |43. A shock pad or ring |11 arranged within an annular recess formed in the forward surface of the chassis in alignment with the rear end face of the sleeve 60 operates to bring the sleeve to rest atthe completion of its rearward stroke.

If the rate of approach to peak acceleration is not required of a specific test, the pressure within chamber |52 may be allowed to remain at atmospheric while the sleeve 68 is moved gradually to release by the extending flange portion |86 of the shuttle as the shuttle is carried rearward by the piston and head assembly as heretofore described, the peak acceleration eifect of the test occurring the instant the balls 58 become completely disengaged of the shoulder 59 of the piston link.

In order that the position of the release sleeve vwithin the mechanism may be known to the operator at all times, a multiple contact switch I8!! is secured to the chassis at I8I, Fig. 10, and having extending forwardly-therefrom an actuating member |82 securedas byrthreads |83 to the ange portion I42'of the sleeve- 60 whereby a spring contact member |85 is driven by the sleeve between a continuous contact strip I 85 and a segmented strip |31 for closing respective circuits to signal lamps provided on the control panel of the device thereby to indicate the position of the sleeve, or the direction and rate of travel thereof, if moved slowly into or out of piston locking position.

Adapted for securing the release mechanism 20 within the barrel, is the plurality of bolts I8 threaded therewith at |89, -and having tapered stud portions |90 suitable for connecting with correspondingly formed bores provided therefor about the periphery of flange |06 of the chassis thereby to retain the release assembly in abutment to a positioning flange |9I formed as a termination of counterbore |92 wherein is movable the adjustable bulkhead I4.

Air under pressure is admitted to the high pressure chamber. I1, formed between the bulkhead and release mechanism, by means of a fluid connection therewith at |93, pressure from the chamber being thereafter communicated about the mechanism ofthe release to the base of the test piston through. the louvres and orice plate of the throttling head assembly I IIJ.

A forwardly projecting annular flange section |94 for-ming a part of the adjustable bulkhead I4 is adapted to be received into arcorrespondingly formed recess in the rear face of the chassis as the bulkhead is moved into close adjacency therewith thereby to reduce to the minimum the air volume of chamber I1 for producing certain conditions of test.

Conventional O rings are employed throughout the device where high pressure seals are required and are referred toV generally vby the numeral wherein not otherwise numbered for the purpose of making specific reference thereto.

As the piston is released to accelerate through the barrel before the expanding air from within chamber I1, the air volume in the barrel chamber |95 before the piston is compressed thereby to gradually decelerate to a stop the piston within the barrel without producing in the apparatus under test and carried thereby effects of secondary shock comparable, in many respects, to that initially applied thereto at the time of piston release.

In order to reduce oscillation of the piston as the pressure within the barrel acting thereon becomes equalized following the completion of the pistons forward stroke, a pressure tank |95, Figs. l and 3, is arranged in fluid communication with the barrel chamber through an interconnecting check-valve assembly generally designated |91, Fig. 13, and including a plurality or" nap valve members |98 hingedly `secured to a housing |99 therefor at 280 and adapted, as the pressure of the air within the barrel chamber ahead of the piston is increased, by movement of the piston thereagainst, to exceed by a predetermined value the pressure within the tank, to lift theflaps of the valves |98 from their seats to pass air fromthe barrel to the tankuntil the pressure of air against the surfaces of the flap-s becomes substantially equalized Vwhereupon the flaps drop to their seats to trap Within the tank the air now under compression therein thus preventing it returning to the tank to relieve its energy to the forward surface of the piston causing the oscillation thereof referred to as the pressures within the barrel to the surfaces of the piston reaches equilibrium..

The pressure tanklis comprised of an elongated cylinder 282, the4 ends thereof being closed as by coverplates 283 and` 294 preferably Welded thereto at 285 and 288 respectively. Providedinthe coverplate 293 is an oval Ishaped manhole 2Il1 through which is inserted a removable cap piece 208 for being drawn into closing position vwith the inner surface of the hole as by Spanner brackets 2I8 as nuts 2II are tightened upon bolts 212 secured as by welding to the forward face of the cap. A pressure seal is maintained between the cap and plate as by suitable gasket material in the usual manner of such closures. The tank is supported. upon the barrel as lby perforated flange sections 2I3 welded to the tank and barrel respectively at 2M and 215 with the entire assembly being mounted for recoiling upon rollers 2|6 arranged within cradlelike supports therefor provided upon pillow blocks 2l1. The rollers are adapted for-being driven upwardly upon the inclined surfaces of the cradle as the barrel recoils responsive to release of the piston therein, therollers to thereafter return to the base Vof the cradle as the inertia of the barrel is spent.

In order that electrical communication may be had with the test piston and apparatus carried thereby during the travel of the piston through the barrel, a multiple strip contact member 218 is secured, as by screwsZ I9, to the upper inner surface of the barrel and adapted to remain in electrical contact with the piston through an insulating plate member 22D carried by the piston and including a multiplicity of bowed spring contact members 22|, Figs. l1 and 12, adapted, as the piston moves through the barrel, to bear in rubbing contact with the strips of member ZIB whereby electrical signals may be communicated from the piston and apparatus carried thereby to recording apparatus such, for example, as a six trace oscilloscope located preferably in the control panel of the device. The contact carrying plate 220 is mounted within a recessed portion of the piston, Fig. ll, and suitably secured thereto as by a substantially U- shaped bracket member 223 arranged to span the connecting rods 45er the piston to which the bracket is secured as by welding to the rodsat corded `relative toa recorded reference base line as .established by .a short interval of operation ,of therecorder prior .to the pistonrelease.

'The strip 226 of the .contact member 2|8 is comprised ofinsulatedsegments 221, Fig. 12, .each segmentLbeing respectively connected, as by alead .228, Vtoua ,common timing circuit of the recorder to which electricalimpulsesare communicated forprojducing on therecord time indi- `cations corresponding proportionately in spaced relation to Lthe time of contact.of the moving piston with the ,respectivesegments of the strip whereby the yelocityof thel piston may be known atany selectedposition during its travel through the barrel relative l.to theresponse of the testob- Aject thereto as provided'byotherA recordings made concurrently therewith, as previously described. The range of shock application may .he increased bysupplyingair under pressure into the barrel before the pistonkprior to release thereof whereby pressure is built up inthe pressure tank |96 by way of check valve |91. With .this arrangement theextent of .acceleratedtravel of the piston in the barrel may be substantially reduced. `In orderotoincrease the accelerated travel of the piston, a partial vacuum may be drawnin `tank '|96 as 4by the steam ejector 231 .supplied with steam as fromlt` and connected to the .tank as at 235.

Describingbriefly the operation of the device of Fig. 1, the piston 4| having mounted therein .the partv 42 to be tested, is rst inserted within the end of the barrel135 which is thereafter closed as by the .cappiece 35 whereupon air is then admitted by way ofthe port between the piston and the cap. for urging the piston graduallyalong the barrel to the position for coupling, by way of the link 5,6,.with the releasemechanism generally designated .20.

As the piston link 55 moves into the annular recess formed therefor in the forward end of the releasemechanism, the balls 58 are caused to be cammed outwardly by the inclined surface 51 of 'the link to thereafter be cammed downwardly behindthe link :shoulder 59 by forward movement of thelocking sleeve 60 as pressure admitted by way of `theport |45 is applied to the rear face of nthe ange section |42 of the sleeve from within vthe chamber |44 for urging the'sleeve forward or in locking position above the balls 58, Fig. 5.

aforedescribed, the sleeve 60 is thereafter se- -cured in `its ball locking position, Fig. 5, by the .inner ring section 98 of the sleeve being engaged by the .balls |51-as the'latter arecammed outwardly into securing position with the ring sec- ,tion'byforwardmovement Aof the shuttle member l'upon which the shoulderlll thereon, Fig. 6, extendsfor engaging the inner surfaces Vof the balls Vfor directing them outwardly to connect with thering sectionas'the shuttle is carried in aforwardly direction by forward movement of the shuttleactuating member 52.

Movement of the shuttle actuating member |62 is controlled by the operator by controlling the hydraulic `responseof the piston 63 of the hydraulic cylinder 'l5 and to which the shuttle actuating member is attached. l.By directing fluid into'the chamber l'lof'the hydraulic cylinder 'i5 the piston 153 thereof Vis extendedin a forward directionV thereby carrying the throttling head Il) and shuttle actuating member |62 attached thereto into position for moving the shuttle to sleeve securing position.

As fluid is directed into the the forward volume or chamber 'd6 .of the cylinder, the piston 63 is retracted'for bringing'the flange section |65 of ,the throttlirlg head |15 into engaging ,position with the forward fiange section |66 of the shuttle |59 whereby the ,shuttle is moved to the position of Fig. 6 forallowing the balls |51 to be cammed inwardly from their engagement with the ring sectionSS of the sleeve whereby'the sleeve is freed to'move to its releaseor ballfreeing position.

After the `locking sleeve 60 has been secured in the manner aforedescribed in a forward position for securing the test piston to the vrelease mechanism andthe required pressure for the test to be conducted has beenadmitted, by way of the port |93 to the high pressure chamber |1, gas under pressure is then admitted by way of port |55 to the chamber |52 formed to the forward face of the flange section |5| of the'sleeve, Fig. 6, for increasing the pressure thereagainst tc a value required to accelerate the sleeve to ballfreeing position when disengaged from the retaining balls |5| controllable by the operator from the panel Il.

Upon the release of sleeve '60 in the manner heretofore described, the sleeve is accelerated from its locking position with the balls 58 for freeing the test'piston and thereafter decelerated :by connecting withthe stopping lug |69 extending inwardly from the ring section 99 and against which oil within the .chamber |58 is trapped therebetween and the-ange I5| of the sleeve as the latter nears completion of its .rearward stroke. As the sleeve moves from above the balls 58, the piston link 56 is.disengaged from the release mechanism 2U'to allow the piston to accelerate through the .barrel in response to the pressure thereagainst thus applied from the pressure chamber `I'|.

As the piston approaches the cap closed end of the'barrel, the pressure of the air before the piston and within the barrel 35 is compressed to the extent of being driven through the ap valves 298, Fig. A13, to within the high pressure tank whereupon the valves close to prevent the return of this gas to the forward face of the piston and thusly oscillatory motion of the piston within the barrel is .considerably reduced as a state of pressure equilibrium is attained.

After the piston has come to rest, the port 55 is opened to allow the pressure between the piston rand the release mechanism to urge the piston in the direction of the cap 36 whereupon as the piston reaches the end of the barrel the pressure may be exhausted from the system and the piston extracted for the examination of the part under test.

13 Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental Vpurposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An air gun of the character disclosed comprising a barrel, a piston in the barrel, means controllable at will for supplying air under pressure to said piston to accelerate the same within the barrel, locking means disposed about the axis of the piston, means-including a sleeve movable from a piston releasing position to a position for locking the piston against movement in the barrel in response to said pressure, said sleeve disposed slideably in said barrel to releasably engage said locking means, and means controllable at will for accelerating said sleeve to said piston releasing position at a predetermined rate, said sleeve being constructed and arranged to cause the piston to be accelerated to free release thereof at a peak value proportional to the pressure of the air on the piston and in predetermined time delayed relation proportional to said predetermined rate of acceleration of the sleeve.

2. An air gun of the character disclosed comprising, an elongated barrel closed at both ends thereof, a piston disposed in said barrel and adapted to carry an object to be tested, a sleeve, means including a plurality of balls movable by said sleeve into locking engagement between said piston and barrel to secure the piston in spaced adjacency te one end of the barrel thereby to form a pressure chamber therebetween, means responsive to air supplied under pressure to said chamber for accelerating said piston in the barrel as the piston is released ,by movement of said sleeve to a position for releasing said balls, said acceleration of the piston at the time. of free release thereof reaching a peak value proportional to the maximum pressure of the air in said chamber, and means controllable at will and responsive to air supplied under pressure thereto for accelerating said sleeve to said ball releasing position selectively in accordance with the pressure applied to said last named means whereby the rate at which said peak acceleration value is reached is controlled by said acceleration of the sleeve.

3. An air gun of the character disclosed comprising a barrel, a piston in the barrel, an annular link attached to said piston and having a camming flange, an annular sleeve, a plurality of balls restricted te radial movement in said barrel and arranged concentrically with respect to said link and actuatable by movement thereover of said sleeve into engagement with said camming flange for securing said piston to said barrel, an annular camming surface on said sleeve and engageable by the balls as the sleeve is withdrawn therefrom and the balls are cammed outwardly of the link by said camming flange upon movement lcf the piston toward free release position thereof, means responsive to air under pressure for withdrawing said sleeve at a predetermined accelerated rate selectively in accordancewith the'pressure of the air applied thereto, means for securing said sleeve to the barrel as said pressure is developed on said withdrawing means therefor, means for releasing said sleeve securing means for free release of said piston, and means for applying a predetermined degree of air pressure to said piston whereby the acceleration of the piston at the time of free release thereof reaches a peak of predetermined value, said camming flange and said camming surface being constructed and arranged to cause free release of the piston in predetermined time delayed relation to engagement of the balls with said surface and proportional to said rate of acceleration of the sleeve.

4. An air gun of the character disclosed comprising a barrel, a piston slideable in the barrel and having a locked position and a free release position therein, an annular link attached to said piston and having a camming flange, an annular sleeve. a plurality of balls restricted to radial movement within the barrel and arranged concentrically with respect to said link and movable into engagement with said camming flange by movement thereover of said sleeve thereby to lock said piston to said barrel, an annular camming surface on said sleeve and engageable by the balls as the sleeve is withdrawn therefrom and A the balls are cammed outwardly of the link by said camming flange thereon upon movement of the piston toward saidV release position, means responsive to air under pressure for withdrawing said sleeve at a predetermined accelerated rate selectively in accordance with the pressure of the air applied thereto, means for securing said sleeve to the barrel as said pressure is developed on said sleeve withdrawing means,l means for releasing said sleeve securing means, and means for applying a predetermined degree of air pressure to said piston whereby the acceleration of the piston at the time of free release thereof reaches a peak of predetermined value, said camming flange and said camming surface being constructed and arranged to cause free release of the piston in predetermined time delayed relation to engagement of the balls with said surface and proportional to said rate of acceleration of ,the sleeve.

5. An air gun of the character disclosed comprising a barrel, a piston having a locked position and a free release position in the barrel, an annular link attached to said piston and having a camming flange, an annular sleeve movable in said barrel, a plurality of balls restricted to radial movement in the barrel and arranged concentrically with respect to said link and moveable into engagement with said camming flange by movement thereover of said sleeve to lock said piston to said barrel in said locked position thereof, an annular camming surface on said sleeve and engageable by the balls as the balls are cammed outwardly of the link by said camming flange thereon upon movement of the piston toward said free release position thereof, iluid means for moving said sleeve into ball locking position, means responsive to air under pressure for withdrawing the sleeve from the balls at a predetermined accelerated rate selectively in accordance with the pressure of the air applied thereto, means for securing said sleeve to the barrel as said pressure is developed on said withdrawing means therefor, means for releasing said sleeve securing means, and means for applying a predetermined degreeof air pressure to said piston whereby the acceleration of the piston at predetermined value, said camming flange and `said camminglsurface-.being constructed. and arranged to .causefreerelease o'f I the4 piston in4 predetermined time ,delayed relation Vto engagement of thelballs with said surface andvproportional to said rate of acceleration of the sleeve, and throttle means for controlling ilow of the .air tolsai'd piston upon releasev thereof.

A(hln. an air gun having a barrel anda piston 'having means for carrying an object to be tested for acceleration shock,.as the.piston is accelerated in fthe barrel, Yresponsive to air supplied under pressurethereto, the improvement `comprising a two stage piston release mechanism, saidmechanism including an annularlink secured to the piston, a pluralityof balls arranged about .said link for movement .radially of Vsaid .barrel into and out of vengagement with the link, said link Yhavinga'ball .camming ange ".fcrcamming the balls outof Lengagement therewith as thepiston is .accelerate'din the barrel, a sleeve movable over said'balls to lock the Same Vin engagement with saidjlinkandhaving an ,annular camming surfaceengageable bythe balls as the sleeve is with- .drawntherefrom and the balls are cammed ,outvwardlyof .thelink,.pressur e responsive means for .Withdrawingthe sleeve to cause said withdrawal thereof at a predetermined accelerated rate selectivelylin accordance with the degree of .pres- ,surel applied to said last named means, means for securing said sleeve to thebarrel assaid pressure .visincreasedtoa predetermined degree and means ,forreleasingfsaid sleeve securing means, said ysleeve-being effective to retain the piston against movement in the .barrel until thesleeve is Vwithdrawn vsuiciently tobring said camming surface thereofinto engagement withthe balls, said camming iiange and said camming surface being constructed andarranged toaccelerate the piston Vto peakaccelerationat the .time of free release thereof in predetermined time delayed .relation to said engagement .of the balls .with said cam- ,mingsurfaca said ltime Ydelayed relation being proportional to said rateof acceleration of the sleeve .and said peak acceleration being proportional to-therdegreeof air pressure applied .to the piston.

7. A device .ofthe character disclosed adapted to applyacceleration shock to apparatus under test including, incombination, a mount, an elongated barrelh-aving a muzzle .endiand a breech end and arrangedfor recoil upon said mount, a piston closelyfitted within the barrel and constructed andarranged to support the apparatus to be tested, .said piston being initially disposed in spaced adjacency to the breech end of-said barrel and arranged to be driven under pressure to the muzzle end of the barrel, a bulkhead slideably arranged within the barrel for closing Ythe .breech end thereof, .said piston and bulkhead forming therebetween apressure chamber, means for adjusting the .bulkhead slideably in the barrel thereby to vary the volume of said pressure chamber, means including a port for admitting air under pressure into said pressure chamber, a release mechanism .arranged in said pressure chamber and adapted to Yreleasably secure said piston to said barrel, means for operating said release mechanism .to disengage said piston from the barrel thereby ,to cause the piston to accelerate towards the muzle end of the barrel, said .accelerationrof the piston .reaching a peak value proportional to the pressure applied thereto by the air in said chamber, a cap for closing the `muzzle end of vsaid barrel whereby the air .within the .barrel before the acceleratinggpiston may be compressed to decelerate the piston to a stop as the pressures Von the foreand aft surfaces thereof become equalized, a pressure relief tank, fluid communicating means connecting said tank with the muzzle end of said barrel, and a check-valve arranged in said fluid communicating means adapted as the pressure before themoving vpiston is increased to open and exhaust into the tank a portion of the air fromsaid barrel, said valve being constructed and arranged to cut oir communication to said tank as thepressvres on the opposite surfaces of the valve becomesubstantially equal.

8. A device of thecharacter Vdisclosed adapted to apply acceleration shock to apparatus under test comprising, in combination, a mount, an elongated barrel having a muzzle end and a breech .end and arranged for recoil onsaid mount, said .barrel having a closely. ttingpiston disposed and adapted for movement under vpressure therein, said piston having a link for attaching the piston to the barrel, a release mechanism arranged in said barrel and xedly secured thereto inpredetermined spaced-adjacency to the breech end thereof and including a recess for receiving therein said attaching link of the piston, a plurality 4of balls arranged radially about said link for locking the linkin said recess, a cylindrical sleeve disposed about said balls and having .thereon a cam surface effective to cam the balls inwardly Ainto locking engagement with the link, aefluid system for actuating said sleeve tolball locking position, a bulkhead slideably .arranged in the barrel in spaced relation to the locked piston therein thereby to forma pressure chamber therebetween, means for adjusting the positionof the bulkhead along the barrel thereby .to change the volume of saidrchamber selectively inaccordance with the adjusted setting of the bulkhead, a source of air Aunder pressure, means for admitting air from said sourceinto said chamber .to increase `the pressure therein to a value selectable for the test, means for releasing said piston for accel- .erated movement toward the muzzlevend of the barrel and including a second fluid system constructed and arranged to accelerate the sleeve from piston locking to piston freeing position at a rate selectable for producing in the released piston the approach -to pea-k acceleration effects desired, a cap forclosing said muzzle end of the barrel whereby the air within the barrel before the accelerating' piston may be compressed to decelerate the piston to .a stop as the pressure fore and aft thereof becomes equalized, a pressure releaseftank, means connecting said tank in iuid communication with said barrel at va point adjacent the muzzle end thereof, and a check valve arranged in said iiuid communicating means and adapted as the pressure .before the moving piston is increased to operate .to exhaust into the tank a portion of the air from said barrel, said valve `being constructed and arranged to cut off communication between said tank and barrel as .the pressure on opposite surfaces of the valve becomes Asubstantially equalized thereby to substantially reduce oscillationof the piston.

9. A device of the character disclosed adapted to apply vcontrolled acceleration shock to apparatus under test comprising, in combination, a mount, an elongated barrel arranged for recoil on said mount, .closures vfor the ends of said barrel including a removable cap for closing one end thereof, a bulkhead slideably arranged therein for closing the other end of said barrel, a piston having an attaching link and adapted for supporting thereon the apparatus to be tested, said piston being disposed for movement in said barrel responsive to pressure applied thereto and being initially retained in predetermined spaced adjacency to the bulkhead closed end of said barrel, means forming an adjustment for said bulkhead for varying selectively the position of the bulkhead with respect to the piston thereby to form therebetween a high pressure chamber of an adjustable volume, a source of air under pressure, a fluid connection for admitting air from said source to said chamber for increasing the pressure therein to a value suitable for the test, a release mechanism disposed in said chamber and fixedly secured to said barrel in adjacency to said piston when the piston is in said initial position thereof, said release mechanism having therein a recess for receiving said link of the piston, a plurality of balls arranged radially about the link, a sleeve arranged in adjacency to the balls and including a cam surface adapted upon forward movement of the sleeve to cam inwardly the balls into locking engagement with the link thereby to lock the piston to the barrel as pressure within the chamber is increased toa value required of the test, means including a fluid system for imparting said forward movement to said sleeve to lock the piston, means including a second fluid system for accelerating the sleeve rearwardly thereby torelease and accelerate the piston through the barrel, said acceleration of the piston at the time of release thereof reaching a peak value predetermined by the initial pressure of the air within the chamber at the time of release, said second uid system being constructed and arranged to accelerate said sleeve rearwardly at a value suicient to cause a predetermined rate of approach to peak acceleration of the piston, a cap for closing the muzzle end of said barrel whereby the air within the barrel before the accelerating piston may be compressed to decelerate the piston to a stop as the pressure on the fore and aft surfaces thereof becomes equalized, a pressure relief tank, fluid communicating means connecting said tank with the muzzle end of said barrel, and a check valve arranged in said iiuid communicating means and adapted as the pressure before the moving pistn is increased to open and exhaust into the tank a portion of the air from said barrel, said valve being constructed and arranged to cut 01T communication through said tank as the pressure on opposite surfaces of the valve becomes substantially equal. l

10. A device of the character disclosed adapted ratus under test comprising, in combination, aA

mount, an elongated barrel arranged for recoil on said mount, a removable cap for closing one end of the barrel, a bulkhead slideably arranged therein for closing the other end of said barrel, a piston adapted for supporting thereon the apparatus to be tested disposed for movement in said barrel responsive to pressure applied thereto and initially disposed in predetermined spaced adjacency to the bulkhead closed end of said barrel, means forming an adjustment for said bulkhead for varying selectively the position of the bulkhead with respect to the piston thereby to form therebetween a high pressure chamber of an adjustable volume, a source of air under pressure, a uid connection for admitting air from said source to said chamber for increasing the pressure therein to a value suitable for the test, a release mechanism arranged in said chamber in adjacency to said piston and adapted to secure said piston to said barrel as the pressure in the chamber is increased, means forming a part of said release mechanism for effecting the disengagement of the pistontherefrom to allow accelerated movement of the piston through the barrel in the direction of the cap closed end thereof whereby the air within the barrel before the accelerating piston is compressed to decelerate the piston to a stop as the pressure within the barrel fore and aft of the piston becomes equal, a pressure relief tank, fluid communicating means connecting said tank with the cap closed end of said barrel, and a check-valve arranged in said ilud communicating means and adapted as the pressure before the moving piston is increased to open the valve and exhaust into the tank a 'portion of the air from said barrel, said valve being constructed and arranged to out off communication through said tank as the pressure on opposite surfaces of the valve becomes substantially equalized.

' JOHN H. ARMSTRONG.

DONAL E. SULLIVAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Nicholas Oct. 18, 1949 

